Ornithogalum Family: Liliaceae Common name: Star-of-Bethlehem Origin: South Africa One of the common names of this flower is chincherinchees. This is an African word that means sound. It probably refers to the noise-making properties of ornithogalum seed pods when dried.

Ornithogalum thyrsoides

Ornithogalum can be divided into two groups: those that are winter hardy and those that are not winter hardy. Those that are not winter hardy are the bulbs that are planted in spring. O. arabicum (height 32 inches/80 cm)/ O. Saundersiae (height 40 inches/100 cm) and O. thyrsoides (height 14 inches/35 cm). O. arabicum and O. Saundersiae have umbel-shaped, cream colored inflorescence; O. thyrsoides has a pyramid-shaped cluster of flowers. Besides that O. arabicum has a black ovary.

Flower color: white
Flowering period: June - October
Average plant height: depends on the type
Planting depth to base of bulbs: 2 - 4 inches (5 - 10 cm)
Spacing between bulbs: 3 - 5 inches (8 - 12 cm)
Type of bulb: bulb
Light requirements: sunny and moist (PM sun)
Hardiness & USDA Zones: Tender III: zones 4 - 7 plant in spring, harvest in fall; zone 8 hardy with a mulch; zones 9 - 10 hardy
Landscape uses: beds, sometimes used in borders and perennial gardens. All types are very suitable for cut flower production. They are long-lasting in the vase.

Principal varieties:
There are about 150 different species. But the main species are:
Ornithogalum arabicum
Ornithogalum Saundersiae
Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Chincherinchees)

Ornithogalum 'arabicum'

Ornithogalum 'Saundersiae'